Translation guide
To direct attention, effort, or a lens toward something specific. Japanese uses different verbs and patterns depending on whether you mean concentrating mentally, emphasizing a topic, adjusting a camera, or narrowing a discussion.
To give your full attention to a task, subject, or goal, often with sustained mental effort.
The most common and natural way to say 'focus on' for mental concentration. Used with に for the target.
勉強に集中してください。
Please focus on your studies.
彼は仕事に集中している。
He is focusing on his work.
To devote oneself entirely to one thing, often for a period of time. Slightly more formal than 集中する.
研究に専念したい。
I want to focus on my research.
Literally 'put strength into', meaning to focus efforts or resources on something. Common in business and casual contexts.
会社は海外展開に力を入れている。
The company is focusing on overseas expansion.
To be absorbed or immersed in something, often a hobby or intellectual pursuit. Stronger than 集中する.
彼は小説を書くのに没頭している。
He is absorbed in writing a novel.
To make something the central point of discussion, presentation, or policy.
Literally 'shine a spotlight on'. Very common for focusing on a topic, issue, or aspect in discussion or analysis.
今日は環境問題に焦点を当てます。
Today we will focus on environmental issues.
To place emphasis or priority on something. Often used in business, education, and policy contexts.
この計画は安全性に重点を置いています。
This plan focuses on safety.
To pay attention to or focus public attention on something. Often used for trends, people, or events.
メディアはその事件に注目している。
The media is focusing on that incident.
To make an image sharp by adjusting the focus of a camera, microscope, or other optical device.
The standard phrase for focusing a camera or lens. ピント comes from Dutch 'brandpunt'.
被写体にピントを合わせてください。
Please focus on the subject.
A more technical or formal alternative to ピントを合わせる, using the kanji for focal point.
顕微鏡の焦点を合わせる。
Focus the microscope.
To restrict attention, discussion, or resources to a specific area or group.
Literally 'squeeze' or 'narrow down'. Very common in business and casual speech for focusing efforts or targeting a specific segment.
ターゲットを若年層に絞る。
Focus the target on young people.
話を本題に絞りましょう。
Let's focus the discussion on the main topic.
To specialize or focus exclusively on a particular field or product. Common in business and technology.
当社はAI開発に特化しています。
Our company focuses on AI development.
While フォーカスする exists as a loanword, it is mainly used in photography or business jargon. For mental concentration, 集中する is much more natural. Using フォーカスする for studying or working can sound unnatural or overly technical.
勉強に集中する
focus on studying
集中する is the general term for concentrating attention. 専念する implies devoting oneself exclusively to one thing, often for a longer period, and carries a nuance of dedication. 専念する is more formal and less common in casual speech.